Teacher Connection

[karenlyn]

One of my favorite things about learning, besides the learning itself, of course, is the opportunity to connect with and learn from another person. I always loved the connection with my teachers and fellow students I got from sharing a common goal with them.

Do you feel like this is something that's missing from Online learning, or is it simply there in a different context?

[Kokotai]

Yes I do miss that one on one connection. I am a people person and I think the hardest thing for me will be not having that interaction while taking on-line classes.

[mtatum4496]

The institution I was involved in (St. Leo University, physically located near Tampa) made it possible to communicate on a limited basis with the professors. Every class I took came with a message board that we were free to use at any time. Twice a week, the professor held online chats that were open to any of us in the class; and all my instructors were great about responding to emails.

True, it is not the same as running into your professor around the campus and having a quick chat, or going by their office at some time to discuss something on your mind. But I did feel comfortable with my instructors and that I did have access to them if I needed to discuss something.

[FetznJtown]

I love the anonymity that I get with taking online classes. I feel much more free to be myself and don't have to worry about feeling weird if I want to get into an intelligent discussion during class. When I took classes on campus, I would always act shy and remain very quiet during class for fear of looking like a suck up.

[feline]

I haven't tried online classes but I think even if I love to talk to real persons, communication will not be a problem as there are many ways to communicate online, e.g., chat, email, phone, webcam, etc. These methods will still connect me to people in many ways.

[LilOne1989]

I didn't feel that I was missing anything really. There are other ways to contact people and if anyone needed to say anything to each other we had email through the school web site, personal email, phone numbers if we choose, plus IM and PM. Once you get to know a person even if you have never seen them the communication is really simple.

[MsMcClain]

I know I don't miss the little "clicks" and they backbiting. And the fact that I can study whenever I want completely makes up for the lack of socializing. If I want to socialize, I can go out and talk to the neighbors. The fact that I don't have to make a choice between working, school, and my kids is what makes it all worth while.

[lizakollman]

i think with good teacher there can still be a connection, even if the classes are online. but i think that it might be missing in most online courses.

[lizakollman]

it also has a lot to do with how the classes are offered. if you communciate with the teacher over email or on the phone and not just online in the courses, you would have a much better connection, i would think.

[ShotoJuku]

I remember my first experiences with a B&M school. The instructors all said the same thing - "I don't care if you show up to the classes, just take your exams and submit your term papers and you will pass." What kind of student-teacher relationship is that?

[LilOne1989]

I never really missed it cause I'm not a very big people person so online was great for me. But if someone is a "social butterfly" then an online experience might not be a good thing for them.

[karenlyn]

Shoto, some teacher are like that, I suppose, but not all of them. A good friend of mine went to a real university (haha), and a couple of her classes were very small, and she raved about one of her teachers and all she was learning from her-- she loved the way this professor connected with and spoke to her and the rest of the class. Really listened to their thoughts and tried to teach them.

However, you may be right that this is the exception in most universities rather than the rule. :p

[lizakollman]

wow - that is interesting. all ofm y college courses had very strict attendance policies. how strange!